Multi-textured animal treats

ABSTRACT

The invention provides multi-textured animal treats and methods for making the multi-textured animal treats. In a general aspect, the multi-textured animal treat includes a hard component comprising a mechanical joint and one or more soft components fixedly attached to the mechanical joint and wrapped around the hard component. The soft components can include an adhesive or a combination of adhesives and mechanical joints for providing an additional attachment mechanism to the hard component.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage application under 35 USC § 37 ofPCT/US2011/001684 filed on 29 Sep. 2011, and claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/404,277 filed on 30 Sep. 2010 and U.S.Provisional application No. 61/571,309 Filed on 24 Jun. 2011, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to multi-textured animal treats andparticularly to multi-textured animal treats having different texturalcomponents that stay together for an extended period.

Description of Related Art

There are many pet food products on the market. The pet food productscan be in a variety of shapes and structures such as kibbles, biscuits,rawhide products and meat emulsion products. Typically, these pet foodproducts are homogenous in that they are usually made from the samematerials throughout the product. Even pet food products that appear tobe made from different base materials are usually made by providing thesame base materials with different colors so as to give the pet foodproducts a multi-component appearance.

The pet food products can be in a soft, hard or chewy form to achieve avariety of different objectives. Hard or chewy pet food products can beused to provide healthy and strong teeth in pets as they are chewed.However, the textures of many hard and chewy pet food products are oftenunappealing and unpalatable. For example, extruded dry pet foods aretypically provided in hard lumps and have a dry, dusty appearance. Softpet food products may be used to supply a specific nutritional componentin a more readily palatable form, but do not promote strong teeth in thepets to the same extent that hard pet food products do. Providing asingle pet food piece having a soft and hard component can overcomethese problems.

Although hard pet food components and soft pet food components may besold together as separate pieces (e.g., kibbles and bits), there are nosatisfactory multi-textured pet food products formed entirely in onepiece currently on the market. This arises because the hard pet foodcomponent and the soft pet food component are usually made fromdifferent materials that will not remain attached to each other for longperiods of time without the two components becoming unstable andseparating from each other. When this happens, it defeats the purpose ofmaking a single multi-textured pet food product in the first place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide multi-texturedanimal treats having a hard component and at least one soft componentthat does not separate from the hard component for an extended period,e.g., at least 12 months.

It is another object of the invention to provide multi-textured animaltreats having a hard component that provides resistance to an animal'steeth to provide a brushing effect on the surface of the teeth.

It a further object of the invention to provide multi-textured animaltreats that provides a delivery vehicle for functional ingredientsneeded for a healthy pet or other animal.

It is another object of the invention to provide methods of makingmulti-textured animal treats having a hard component and at least onesoft component.

These and other objects are achieved using multi-textured animal treatshaving a hard component and at least one soft component. The softcomponent(s) are attached to the hard component mechanically via the useof a corresponding mechanical joint on the hard component. In additionto or in place of the mechanical joint(s), the soft component(s) can beattached to the hard component using an edible adhesive.

Additional and further objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a multi-textured animal treatin an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of a multi-textured animal treatin a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of a multi-textured animal treatin a third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

The term “single package” means that the components of a kit arephysically associated in or with one or more containers and considered aunit for manufacture, distribution, sale, or use. Containers include,but are not limited to, bags, boxes, cartons, bottles, packages of anytype or design or material, over-wrap, shrink-wrap, affixed components(e.g., stapled, adhered, or the like), or combinations thereof. A singlepackage may be containers of individual multi-textured animal treats andother components physically associated such that they are considered aunit for manufacture, distribution, sale, or use.

The term “virtual package” means that the components of a kit areassociated by directions on one or more physical or virtual kitcomponents instructing the user how to obtain the other components,e.g., a bag or other container containing one component and directionsinstructing the user to go to a website, contact a recorded message or afax-back service, view a visual message, or contact a caregiver orinstructor to obtain instructions on how to use the kit or safety ortechnical information about one or more components of a kit.

All percentages expressed herein relating to the components of acomposition are by weight of the total weight of the composition unlessexpressed otherwise.

As used throughout, ranges are used herein in shorthand, so as to avoidhaving to set out at length and describe each and every value within therange. Any appropriate value within the range can be selected, whereappropriate, as the upper value, lower value, or the terminus of therange.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular form of a wordincludes the plural, and vice versa, unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise. Thus, the references “a”, “an”, and “the” are generallyinclusive of the plurals of the respective terms. For example, referenceto “a multi-textured animal treat” or “a method” includes a plurality ofsuch “multi-textured animal treats” or “methods”. Similarly, the words“comprise”, “comprises”, and “comprising” are to be interpretedinclusively rather than exclusively. Likewise, the terms “include”,“including” and “or” should all be construed to be inclusive, unlesssuch a construction is clearly prohibited from the context. Where usedherein the term “examples,” particularly when followed by a listing ofterms is merely exemplary and illustrative, and should not be deemed tobe exclusive or comprehensive.

The products, methods, compositions, and other advances disclosed hereare not limited to particular methodology, protocols, and ingredientsdescribed herein because, as the skilled artisan will appreciate, theymay vary. Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to, and doesnot, limit the scope of that which is disclosed or claimed.

THE INVENTION

In one aspect illustrated in FIG. 1, the invention provides amulti-textured animal treat 10 having a hard component 20 including acorresponding mechanical joint 40 and a soft component 30 fixedlyattached to mechanical joint 40. Hard component 20 has a hardness asmeasured by Instron compressibility values ranging from about 25 lb-f toabout 60 lb-f (e.g., Instron 5500R) and more preferably from about 25lb-f to about 55 lb-f or any value within the range. Soft component 30has a hardness as measured by Instron compressibility values rangingfrom about 1 lb-f to about 20 lb-f (e.g., Instron 5500R) and morepreferably from about 1 lb-f to about 15 lb-f or any value within therange. Multi-textured animal treat 10 can have any suitable length orthickness. As illustrated in FIG. 1, hard component 20 and softcomponent 30 can take the form of separate ropes or strands 21,31 thatinteract with each other.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1, hard component 20 has a twisted shape.For example, the hexagonal shape of hard component 20 depicts ridges atthe plane of the intersection of two adjacent sides to convey a scrapingcapability of treat 10 with oral health benefits and also provides asolid base for mechanical joint 40. Hard component 20 can have anysuitable shape compatible with soft component 30, e.g., the hardcomponent can be cylindrical, triangular, rectangular, hexagonal,octagonal, and the like.

Soft component 30 can be wrapped around mechanical joint 40 of hardcomponent 20 in a spiral shape. As a result, soft component 30 ismechanically attached to hard component 20 via mechanical joint 40. Thismechanical attachment prevents soft component 30 from coming detachedfrom hard component 20 during an extended period, e.g., 1 week, 2 weeks,1 month, 6 months, 12 months or longer, including during storage ofmulti-textured animal treat 10.

As used herein, a “mechanical joint” is a protrusion extending from thehard component by which the soft component can readily surround andmaintain an attachment to the hard component. Mechanical joint 40 can beprovided along part of or the entire length of hard component 20.Mechanical joint 40 can also be provided intermittently along the lengthof hard component 20. Soft component 30 can be placed over and attachedto any suitable portion of mechanical joint 40 so that at least aportion or all of soft component 30 (e.g., groove 32) is fixedlyattached to hard component 20. In addition to the dovetail shape shownin FIG. 1, mechanical joint 40 can be in any suitable shape including atriangle, hook, t-shape, arrow, and the like suitable for fixedlyattaching soft component 30 to hard component 20. It should beappreciated that this description of mechanical joint 40 can apply toany embodiments of the multi-textured animal treat described herein andto multiple mechanical joints when the multi-textured animal treat hasmultiple soft components.

In another aspect, along with mechanical joint 40, soft component 30 canbe attached to hard component 20 by using an edible adhesive such as,for example, sodium caseinate and/or gelatine. The adhesion of softcomponent 30 to hard component 20 is enhanced by providing a largesurface area via mechanical joint 40 at the interface of the components.The adhesive can be added to soft component 30 during manufacturing.Alternatively, the adhesive can be added to hard component 20 or bothsoft component 30 and hard component 20. During the stage when softcomponent 30 contains a substantial amount of moisture and is wrappedaround hard component 20, the sodium caseinate/gelatine acts as anadhesive and causes soft component 30 to fixedly be attached to hardcomponent 20 when the two components are extruded and dried. It shouldbe appreciated that this description of mechanical joint 40 withadhesive can apply to any embodiments of the multi-textured animal treatdescribed herein that use adhesives and to multiple mechanical jointswhen the multi-textured animal treat has multiple soft components.

In addition to or in place of sodium caseinate/gelatine, the adhesivecan be from one or more maltodextrins, flours (e.g., pre-cooked/toastedflours), starches, animal proteins, vegetable proteins or combinationsthereof. Suitable animal proteins include plasma and blood. Suitablevegetable proteins include pea protein, corn protein (e.g., ground cornor corn gluten), wheat protein (e.g., ground wheat or wheat gluten), soyprotein (e.g., soybean meal, soy concentrate, or soy isolate), riceprotein (e.g., ground rice or rice gluten) and the like. These vegetableproteins may be provided in the form of meals, flours, concentrates, andisolates as desired.

The adhesive can be used in any suitable amount to provide sufficientadhesion for the soft component to remain fixedly attached to the hardcomponent. In an embodiment, the adhesive can be sodium caseinateranging from about 0.1% to about 10% including about 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%,2.5%, 3%, 3.5%, 4%, 4.5%, 5%, 5.5%, 6%, 6.5%, 7%, 7.5%, 8%, 8.5%, 9%,9.5% and the like. In an embodiment, the adhesive can be gelatine (e.g.,≥100 Bloom) at ranging from about 1% to about 15% including about 0.5%,1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, 3.5%, 4%, 4.5%, 5%, 5.5%, 6%, 6.5%, 7%, 7.5%,8%, 8.5%, 9%, 9.5%, 10%, 10.5%, 11%, 11.5%, 12%, 12.5%, 13%, 13.5%, 14%,14.5% and the like. It should be appreciated that this description ofthe adhesive(s) can apply to any embodiments of the multi-texturedanimal treat described herein.

In another aspect illustrated in FIG. 2, the invention provides amulti-textured animal treat 110 having a hard component 120 including amechanical joint 140 and a soft component 130 fixedly attached tomechanical joint 140 with an adhesive. Hard component 120 has a hardnessas measured by Instron compressibility values ranging from about 25 lb-fto about 60 lb-f (e.g., Instron 5500R) and more preferably from about 25lb-f to about 55 lb-f or any value within the range. Soft component 130has a hardness as measured by Instron compressibility values rangingfrom about 1 lb-f to about 20 lb-f (e.g., Instron 5500R) and morepreferably from about 1 lb-f to about 15 lb-f or any value within therange. Multi-textured animal treat 110 can have any suitable length orthickness.

As further illustrated in FIG. 2, hard component 120 has a cylindricalshape (e.g., rope 121). Soft component 130 is wrapped around mechanicaljoint 140 of hard component 120 as a rope 131 in a spiral shape. As aresult, soft component 130 (e.g., groove 132) is mechanically attachedto hard component 140 via mechanical joint 140. This mechanicalattachment prevents soft component 130 from coming detached from hardcomponent 120 during an extended period, including during storage ofmulti-textured animal treat 110. In another aspect, along with themechanical joint, soft component 130 can be attached to hard component120 by using an adhesive.

In an alternative aspect illustrated in FIG. 3, the invention provides amulti-textured animal treat 210 having a hard component 220 and a softcomponent 230 fixedly attached to hard component 220 using a suitableadhesive. Hard component 220 has a hardness as measured by Instroncompressibility values ranging from about 25 lb-f to about 60 lb-f(e.g., Instron 5500R) and more preferably from about 25 lb-f to about 55lb-f or any value within the range. Soft component 230 has a hardness asmeasured by Instron compressibility values ranging from about 1 lb-f toabout 20 lb-f (e.g., Instron 5500R) and more preferably from about 1lb-f to about 15 lb-f or any value within the range. Multi-texturedanimal treat 210 can have any suitable length or thickness.

In this aspect, no mechanical joint is necessary. This adhesiveattachment prevents soft component 230 from coming detached from hardcomponent 220 for an extended period. As further illustrated in FIG. 3,hard component 220 has a twisted shape. Soft component 230 is wrappedaround hard component 220 in a spiral shape. When the multi-texturedanimal treat has more than one soft component, the adhesive is used withall of the soft components or with some but not all of the softcomponents, as described herein.

The hard component can been formulated to provide sufficient resistanceto a dog's biting of the multi-textured animal treat, which will inducea brushing effect on the dog's teeth surface. In any aspects of themulti-textured animal treats of the present disclosure, the hardcomponent can be a starch-based extruded product. The hard component canalso be a pregelatinized cereal grain such as, for example, corn, wheat,barley, millet, sorghum, oat, rye, triticale or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the hard component can be a bio-plastics materialproduced from an expanded material as described in U.S. PatentPublication No. 2006/0292288. The bio-plastics material may be producedby a method that includes thermally treating a pre-expanded (e.g.,porous) dry constituent so as to melt it. Preferably, cooking thepre-expanded dry constituent takes place in the presence of a componentcapable forming hydrogen bonds. The component can be a substance otherthan water. The component preferably is capable of solvating theconstituent. The component may be a polyhydric solvent. This may beliquid or solid under standard temperature and pressure conditions.Examples of suitable liquid solvents are ethylene glycol, glycerol andpropylene glycol. Examples of suitable solid polyhydric solvents aresugars and sorbitol. Water may be present.

The cooking of the pre-expanded dry constituent can be carried outpreferably at low water activity and under low moisture conditions.Prior to the cooking, the pre-expanded constituent and the hydrogenbond-forming component, when used, are preferably mixed together to forma substantially homogeneous mixture, which is then disposed in a cookingvessel. Preferably, the mixture includes from 10% to about 90% by weightof the constituent and more preferably from 40% to about 80% by weight.Preferably, the mixture includes from about 0% to about 50% water byweight. Further preferably, the mixture includes from about 1% to about15% water by weight. Preferably, the mixture includes from about 0% to80% by weight of the hydrogen bond-forming component. Furtherpreferably, the mixture includes from about 4% to about 16% of thehydrogen bond-forming component by weight.

The mixture may further include from about 1% to 30% protein. Theprotein may be derived from a plant or animal source or both. It may beprovided as a protein concentrate. Optional ingredients such as thoseconventionally selected for inclusion in food products may also be addedto the mixture. Accordingly, the mixture may still further include atleast one additional constituent such as, for example, gelatin,dicalcium phosphate, a nutrient mixture, a reactive sugar, an aminoacid, high-amylose or amylopectin component (such as starch) and inert(or non-digestible) fillers.

The mixture may further include a preservative. Suitable examplesinclude potassium sorbate, sorbic acid, methyl para-hydroxybenzoate,calcium propionate and propionic acid. As water activity decreases, theneed (if any) for such preservatives diminishes accordingly. Thus, whereno water is added, no preservative is strictly needed. The presence, inpreferred embodiments, of a hydrogen bond-forming component incombination with the pre-expanded constituent contained in the mixture,while requiring the input of substantial amounts of energy in thecooking, nevertheless promotes controlled transformation of theconstituent into a stable, coherent and digestible foodstuff body thatcan form a hard component that has a desired texture and uniqueproperties by design.

Using pre-expanded particles provides an advantage over unexpandedparticles because the pre-expanded particles are highly porous and havea higher number of micro-pores of a size greater than ten times theaverage molecular radius of the chosen hydrogen bond forming component,for example a polyhydric solvent. Consequently, the pre-expandedparticles have a larger external surface area to volume ratio, comparedto unexpanded particles. The external surface area includes all surfacesaccessible to molecules of the solvent, including surfaces within thepores, micro-pores and intra-particular tunnels. The pre-expandedparticles are found to have a much faster absorption rate for thepolyhydric solvent, compared to unexpanded prior art particles. Thepre-expanded particles also have a much faster adsorption of polyhydricsolvents compared to prior art particles. The pre-expanded particlesfurther have a much faster rate of solvation with a polyhydric solventcompared to prior art particles.

In addition to the hard component, the soft component can include apreservative. In addition, at least one of the hard component and thesoft component can include additional ingredients such as, for example,drugs, nutrients, herbs, oral care ingredients, visible nutritioningredients, colorants, flavorants, humectants, antioxidants, or acombination thereof.

The oral care ingredients can be any ingredient that improves oralhealth. Typical oral care ingredients include those that freshen breath,control tartar, combat gingivitis, combat periodontitis, and the like.The oral care ingredients can be in the multi-textured animal treat inan amount ranging from about 0.05% to about 2.5%. Suitable oral careingredients include alfalfa nutrient concentrate (contains chlorophyll),sodium bicarbonate, phosphates (e.g., tricalcium phosphate, acidpyrophosphates, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, metaphosphates,orthophosphates), peppermint, cloves, parsley, ginger, and the like.

The visible nutrition ingredients can be in the form of pieces or speckson the surfaces and/or within the hard component or soft component. Thevisible nutrition ingredients can be in the multi-textured animal treatin an amount ranging from about 0.1% to about 0.8%. Suitable visiblenutrition ingredients include corn germ meal, dehydrated vegetables,fruits, grains (e.g., spinach, carrots, cranberry), and the like.

The colorants can provide an aesthetic effect. The colorants can be inthe multi-textured animal treat in an amount ranging from about 0.001%to about 0.8%. Suitable colorants include FD & C colors, natural colors,titanium dioxide, and the like. In various embodiments, the melt and thedough are different colors.

The flavorants can make the multi-textured animal treat more palatablefor the animal. The flavorants can be in the multi-textured animal treatin an amount ranging from about 0.03% to about 8%, preferably from about0.05 to about 5%, more preferably from about 0.1 to about 4%. Suitableflavorants include yeast, tallow, rendered animal meals (e.g., poultry,beef, lamb, and pork), flavor extracts or blends (e.g., grilled beef),and the like.

The humectants can provide an aesthetic effect. The humectants can be inthe multi-textured animal treat in an amount ranging from about 9% toabout 31%, preferably from about 11 to about 24%. Suitable humectantsinclude salt, sugars, propylene glycol and polyhydric glycols such asglycerin and sorbitol, and the like.

The antioxidants can provide an aesthetic effect. The antioxidants canbe in the multi-textured animal treat in an amount ranging from about0.01% to about 0.5%. Suitable antioxidants include BHA/BHT, vitamin E(tocopherols), and the like.

In general, any ingredient that is compatible with the hard componentand/or soft component can be added to the component. For example,pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, drugs, herbs, nutrients, or otheringredients that prevent disease, treat disease, ameliorate diseasesymptoms, or affect one or more bodily functions can be added to one ormore of the components where applicable, e.g., unsaturated fatty acids(UFA); nitric oxide releasing compounds (NORC); anti-glycation agents;colostrum; amino acids; proteins; peptides; polypeptides; nucleic acids;oligonucleotides; polynucleotides; small molecules; macromolecules;vitamins; minerals; simple sugars; complex sugars; polysaccharides;carbohydrates; medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs); triacylglycerides(TAGs); n-3 (omega-3) fatty acids such as DHA, EPA, and ALA; n-6(omega-6) fatty acids such as LA, γ-linolenic acid (GLA) and ARA, SA,and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA); choline or choline sources such aslecithin; fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A and precursors thereofsuch as carotenoids (e.g., (β-carotene); vitamin D sources such asvitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol); vitamin Esources such as tocopherols (e.g., α-tocopherol) and tocotrienols andvitamin E derivatives such as trolox; and vitamin K sources such asvitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and vitamin K2 (menadione); water-solublevitamins such as B vitamins such as riboflavin; niacin (includingnicotinamide and nicotinic acid); pyridoxine; pantothenic acid; folicacid; biotin; cobalamin; vitamin C (ascorbic acid); antioxidantsincluding some of the vitamins listed above, especially vitamins E andC; bioflavonoids such as apigenin, catechin, flavonone, genistein,naringenin, quercetin and theaflavin; quinones such as ubiquinone;carotenoids such as lycopene and lycoxanthin; α-lipoic acid;L-carnitine; D-limonene; glucosamine; S-adenosylmethionine; chitosan;alginate; calcium; hyaluronic acid; magnesium; monooleylphosphatidicacid; nitric oxide (e.g., as nitroglycerin); S-carbamylcysteine; sodiumbutyrate; sodium salicylate; spermidine; sphingosine; and glucose. Otherexamples include ingredients that affect joint conditions or diseasesuch as analgesics, glucosamine, chondroitin, non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drugs, chondroitin sulfate, and glucosamine sulfate.Other examples include immune system enhancing agents such ascalcineurin inhibitors, glucocorticoids, and the like. Similarly, theseand the above mentioned ingredients can be added to the hard componentor soft component in various combinations when compatible with thecomponents and each other, e.g., one or more oral care ingredients andone or more ingredients that affect joint conditions or disease in thesame hard component or in the same soft component.

Similarly, the multi-textured animal treat can act as a delivery vehiclefor numerous individual functional ingredients. For instance, onecomponent may have a functional ingredient related to oral health whilethe other component may have an ingredient beneficial for joint healthor gut health. In addition, by providing separate delivery vehicles viathe hard and soft components, the multi-textured animal treat can carryingredients that might adversely react with one another if they are inthe same component.

In another aspect, the invention provides packages useful for containinga multi-textured animal treat of the invention. The packages comprise atleast one material suitable for containing the multi-textured animaltreat and a label affixed to the material containing a word or words,picture, design, acronym, slogan, phrase, or other device, orcombination thereof, that indicates that the package contains themulti-textured animal treat. Typically, such device comprises the words“multi-textured animal treat” or “multi-textured animal treat having ahard and a soft component” or an equivalent expression printed on thematerial that distinguishes the multi-textured animal treat of theinvention. Any package configuration and packaging material suitable forcontaining the multi-textured animal treat are useful in the invention,e.g., a bag, box, sachet, bottle, can, pouch, and the like manufacturedfrom paper, plastic, foil, metal, and the like. In preferredembodiments, the package further comprises one or more multi-texturedanimal treats of the invention. In various embodiments, the packagefurther comprises at least one window that permit the package contentsto be viewed without opening the package. In some embodiments, thewindow is a transparent portion of the packaging material. In others,the window is a missing portion of the packaging material. Themulti-textured animal treats have a hard component and a soft componentfixedly attached to the hard component. The soft component remainsfixedly attached to the hard component without separating for at least 8weeks, 10 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 12 months or longer.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of making amulti-textured animal treat. The method comprises mixing a dry blend ofcomponents for a hard component with plasticizers in the extruder toform a first melt and mixing a dry blend of components for a softcomponent with plasticizers which are heated and mixed to form a dough.The first melt and the heated dough are coextruded through a dieassembly to form the multi-textured animal treat. The first melt formsan elongated rope having at least one protrusion, preferably aprotrusion on one side of the rope. The dough encases the protrusion andforms a mechanical joint prior to exiting the die assembly. The extrudedhard component can have a twisted shape or a cylindrical shape. The softcomponent can be wrapped around the hard component in a spiral shape.

In an alternative aspect, the invention provides a method of making amulti-textured animal treat. The method comprises mixing a dry blend ofcomponents for a hard component with water in a first barrel of anextruder to form a first melt and mixing a dry blend of components for asoft component with water in a second barrel of an extruder to form adough. At least one of the first melt and the dough can include anadhesive. The first melt and the dough are coextruded through a dieassembly to form the multi-textured animal treat, the dough wrappedaround the first melt prior to exiting the die assembly. The adhesivecan be one or more maltodextrins, flours, starches, animal proteins,vegetable proteins and combinations thereof in an amount sufficientenough to fixedly attach the soft melt to the hard dough. In analternative embodiment, the hard component can include a mechanicaljoint on which the soft component is fixedly attached to.

Generally, a hard component and one or more soft components areco-extruded and held together by mechanical or physical means asdescribed herein.

In various embodiments, the invention provides multi-textured animaltreats having a hard component (illustrated as 20 in FIG. 1) includingtwo or more mechanical joints (one such mechanical joint illustrated as40 in FIG. 1) and two or more soft components (one such soft componentillustrated as 30 in FIG. 1) fixedly attached to a correspondingmechanical joint (illustrated as 40 in FIG. 1). In one embodiment, thehard component has two soft components fixedly attached to acorresponding mechanical joint on the hard component, i.e., the hardcomponent has two mechanical joints and each of the soft components areattached to the hard component using a corresponding mechanical joint.In another, the hard component has three soft components fixedlyattached to a corresponding mechanical joint, i.e., each soft componentis attached to a different one of three mechanical joints on the hardcomponent. In others, the hard component has four or more softcomponents fixedly attached to four or more corresponding mechanicaljoints on the hard component, the upper limit of soft components beingdictated by the size of the hard component and the soft components.

The soft components can comprise the same ingredients or differentingredients, e.g., the ingredients given herein such as oral careingredients, visible nutrition ingredients, colorants, flavorants,humectants, antioxidants, and combinations thereof. Similarly, the softcomponents can have the same or different size, shape, appearance, andtexture. Varying these characteristics of the soft components permitsthe multi-textured animal treat to be customized as needed to meet theaesthetic, health, hedonistic, or other needs or various animals and,when applicable, their caregivers. For example, in certain embodimentsthe soft components contain different flavorants that vary the taste ofthe multi-textured animal treat; different ingredients that vary thetexture of the multi-textured animal treat; and different colorants thatvary the color of the multi-textured animal treat. In one embodiment,the multi-textured animal treat has two soft components, one containingone or more oral care ingredients and one containing one or moreflavorants. This embodiment provides a flavorful treat that is desirableto the animal and that has a beneficial effect on oral health. Inanother, the multi-textured animal treat has two soft components, onecontaining one or more compounds that benefit joint health and onecontaining one or more different ingredients, e.g., flavorants,colorants, and the like. In another, the multi-textured animal treat hastwo soft components, one containing one or more flavorants and onecontaining one or more different flavorants. This embodiment provides amulti-flavorful treat that typically has enhanced appeal to the animal.In another, the multi-textured animal treat has two soft components, onecontaining one or more flavorants and one containing one or moreantioxidants. This embodiment provides a flavorful treat that has abeneficial effect on animal health. In another, the multi-texturedanimal treat has two soft components, one containing one or moreflavorants and one containing one or more medications. This embodimentprovides a flavorful treat that the animal will desire and consume whiletaking needed medications without the difficulties that often accompanyadministering medications to animals. In a further, the multi-texturedanimal treat has three soft components, one containing flavorants andcolorants; one containing oral health ingredients, and one containingantioxidants. Numerous such combinations can be prepared by the skilledartisan. Treats containing two or more soft components are made usingthe same methods described herein except that the two or more softcomponents are coextruded during the process. In certain otherembodiments, the soft components have different sizes and/or shapes.Varying these characteristics of the soft components permits themulti-textured animal treat to be varied as needed to meet theaesthetic, manufacturing requirements, or other needs of manufacturers,animals and, when applicable, their caregivers. For example, whenmanufacturing a multi-textured animal treat with four soft components(often having different palatants, colorants, and the like), the softcomponents may need to have a smaller size so that the multiple softcomponents can be accommodated on the hard component while keeping theoverall size of the multi-textured animal treat such that it isappealing to and/or can be consumed by the animal, e.g., mouth size andbite size compatible. Similarly, the shape of the soft components can bevaried simply to create a visually appealing treat. For example, amulti-textured animal treat having three soft components can have onesoft component in the shape of a star, one soft component in shape of acircle, and one soft component in shape of a triangle. Numerouscombinations of shapes, sizes, flavorants, colorants, and the like areenvisioned and are included within the invention.

In various embodiments, the multi-textured animal treat comprises acombination of soft components fixedly attached individually to the hardcomponent using one or more mechanical joints and one or more edibleadhesives, as the mechanical joints and adhesives are described herein.

In other embodiments, an individual soft component is fixedly attachedto the hard component using a combination of one or more sections ofmechanical joint and one or more sections of edible adhesive, e.g.,one-half of an individual soft component is attached to the hardcomponent using a mechanical joint and the other half of the softcomponent is attached to the hard component using edible adhesive orone-fourth of an individual soft component is attached to the hardcomponent using a mechanical joint and one-third of the remaining softcomponent is attached to the hard component using edible adhesive. Insome of these embodiments, there are one or more sections of the softcomponent that are not fixedly attached to the hard component.

In another aspect, the invention provided animal treats made accordingto the methods of the invention.

Various ingredients in various amounts can be used to make themulti-textured animal treats of the invention. Examples of suchingredients and ranges for such ingredients are:

Preferred Ranges Hard Component Formulations Pregelatinized Rice FlourLevel varies with other components (66.6-89.1%) Sorbic Acid  0.2-0.4%Glycerin 6.0-27.0% Water 4.5-27.0% Soft Component Formulations WheatGluten 8.5-11.5% Wheat Flour  35-50% Gelatin    1-15% Maltodextrin 0.3-0.5% Sodium Caseinate  0.1-10% Polyol (Glycerin/Hydrosorb)  13-24%Water   0-7% Sorbic Acid  0.2-0.4% Calcium Propionate 0.15-0.3%Phosphoric Acid  0.2-0.4% Total Product Formulations Cereal/StarchMatrix Pregelatinized Cereal Grain Level varies with other components(44.4-59.4%) Wheat Gluten 2.2.0-3.8%  Wheat Flour 10.1-16.7% Binders/Glues/Adhesives Gelatin   0.3-5% Maltodextrin 0.01-0.5% SodiumCaseinate 0.05-3.3% Plasticizers-Humectants Polyols  7.0-26% Sugar/Salt  2-5% Water  2.3-18% Antimycotic Preservatives Sorbic Acid  0.2-0.4%Calcium Propionate 0.05-0.1% Phosphoric Acid 0.07-0.14% 

In a further aspect, the invention provides kits. The kits comprise inseparate containers in a single package or in separate containers in avirtual package, as appropriate for the kit component, at least onemulti-textured animal treat of the invention and one or more of (1) oneor more comestible ingredients, e.g. different treats, dog foods, catfoods, animal toys, and the like; (2) one or more devices useful forentertaining an animal, e.g., a play toy, a chew toy, and the like; (3)one or more devices useful for managing or protecting an animal, e.g., apiece of clothing, a leash, a collar, and the like; and (4) instructionsfor how to use the animal treats and other kit components, particularlyfor the benefit of the animal.

When the kit comprises a virtual package, the kit is limited toinstructions in a virtual environment in combination with one or morephysical kit components. The kits may contain the kit components in anyof various combinations. In one embodiment, the kit contains amulti-textured animal treat of the invention and a container of food forconsumption by an animal, e.g., dog food or cat food. In another, thekit contains the animal treat and an inedible chew toy. In another, thekit contains the animal treat and a animal collar and a correspondingleash. Numerous such combinations are within the purview of the skilledartisan.

In another aspect, the invention provides a package useful forcontaining a multi-textured animal treat of the invention. The packagecomprises at least one material suitable for containing the animal treatand a label affixed to the material containing a word or words, picture,design, acronym, slogan, phrase, or other device, or combinationthereof, that indicates that the package contains the animal treat.Typically, such device comprises the words “multi-textured animal treat”or “long lasting multi-textured animal treat” or an equivalentexpression printed on the material. Any package configuration andpackaging material suitable for containing the animal treat are usefulin the invention, e.g., a bag, box, bottle, can, pouch, and the likemanufactured from paper, plastic, foil, metal, and the like. Inpreferred embodiments, the package further comprises a animal treat ofthe invention. In various embodiments, the package further comprises atleast one window that permit the package contents to be viewed withoutopening the package. In some embodiments, the window is a transparentportion of the packaging material. In others, the window is a missingportion of the packaging material.

In another aspect, the invention provides a means for communicatinginformation about or instructions for one or more of (1) instruction forusing multi-textured animal treats of the invention, particularly toentertain or benefit an animal, and (2) using the kits of the presentinvention. The means comprises a document, digital storage media,optical storage media, audio presentation, or visual display containingthe information or instructions. In certain embodiments, thecommunication means is a displayed web site, visual display, kiosk,brochure, product label, package insert, advertisement, handout, publicannouncement, audiotape, videotape, DVD, CD-ROM, computer readable chip,computer readable card, computer readable disk, computer memory, orcombination thereof containing such information or instructions. Usefulinformation includes contact information for animals or their caregiversto use if they have a question about the multi-textured animal treats ofthe kits.

EXAMPLES

By way of example and not limitation, the following examples areillustrative of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Theexamples describe formulations for the hard and soft components and themethod of linking them to form a multi-textured twisted product thatstays together through the product shelf life.

Example 1 Hard Component

One thousand (1000) pounds (lbs) of extrudate for the hard component wasprepared by weighing each ingredient as shown in Table 1 and adding to aribbon mixer where they were mixed to form a homogeneous dry blend.

The dry blend was then transferred to a hopper that feeds a twin screwextruder (“TSE”). The screws were configured for high shear and a ventsection was used towards the exit end of the extruder barrel.

After extruder start-up, the dry blend was fed into the first barrel ofthe extruder at 8 lbs/minute. Glycerin that was heated to 160° F. (320°C.) was injected into this barrel at 16% of the dry blend feed rate.Water was also injected into this section at 15.5% dry blend feed rate.The screw speed was adjusted to develop a pressure that ranged from1200-1600 psi and temperature ranging from 198-220° F. (428° C.) in thedough melt. This melt was then pumped through the vent section and intoa hexagonal die in a die assembly attached at the end of the extrudercreating a rope.

TABLE 1 Hard Component Formulation Ingredient Lbs Pregelatinized RiceFlour 908.5 Distilled Monoglyceride 17.5 BHA/BHT Powder Oxy-Block 140.25 Yeast Internal Dried 30.75 Corn Germ Meal 12.0 Poultry By-ProductMeal 10.2 Tricalcium Phosphate (High Density) 11.0 Sodium Bicarbonate0.3 Sorbic Acid 3.0 Color Blend 6.5 Total 1000.0

Example 2 Soft Component

Two hundred ninety-three lbs of dry blend for the soft component wasmade by weighing ingredients as shown in Table 2 into a double ribbonmixer with steam injection ports. The ingredients were mixed into ahomogeneous dry blend. To this blend, liquids and flavors were weighedas shown in Table 3 and added while continuously mixing and with steaminjection until the product reached a temperature ranging from 185-190°F. (365-374° C.) forming a 400 lb batch. The hot dough was emptied intothe hopper of a high pressure (e.g., up to 1000 psi) screw pump. Thedough was then pumped to a die adjacent to the die for the hardcomponent in the same die assembly attached to the end of the TSE. Forthis soft component, a round die was used to create a rope. The flowrate of the soft extrudate was adjusted to 33% of that of the hardextrudate.

TABLE 2 Dry Mix Blend for Soft Component Ingredient lbs Titanium Dioxide3.82 Maltodextrin DE 10 0.38 Wheat Gluten Vital Bulk 38.2 SodiumCaseinate 12.98 Wheat Flour Second Clear or Better 168.0 SugarGranulated 27.5 Gelatin 250 Bloom 16.4 Sorbic Acid 1.38 CalciumPropionate 0.96 Deoiled Dried Soy Lecithin 0.38 Ground Alfalfa NutrientConcentrate 15.3 Salt 7.7 Total 293.0

TABLE 3 Soft Component Formulation Ingredient lbs Dry Mix Blend 293Glycerin 62.6 Roquette Hydrosorb AN 7522 12.8 Water 13.9 Tallow Ediblew/Vitamin E 12.7 Phosphoric Acid 4 Grilled Beef Flavor (Givaudan) 1Total 400.0

Example 3 Forming the Multi-Textured Twist Product—1

As shown in Example 1 (the hard extrudate) and Example 2 (the softextrudate) were both formed separately in the same die assembly.Further, as the hard extrudate entered the die, one of the vertices wascompressed to create a protrusion (e.g., this could be dovetail ortongue, or any other shape as square, rectangular, circular, andpolygonal) and at this point the hard and soft extrudates were stillseparated from each other. At approximately one third of the length ofthe die assembly, the flow paths were configured so that the extrudedropes were brought in contact and the protrusion of the hard extrudatepenetrated into the soft extrudate. From that point the diecross-section area was maintained to ensure that mechanical compressionwas applied to both ropes through the discharge of the die assembly tostrengthen the bond that was created. The bonded ropes were rotated asthey exited the die assembly creating a braided structure. This productwas cut in approximately six inch pieces and sealed in moisture barrierflexible bags. The product is shown in FIG. 1. The products were storedat ambient conditions and examined every two weeks. After 12 months, theropes were still strongly bonded and the dual texture was maintained.

Example 4 Forming the Multi-Textured Twist Product—2 Adhesive Only

As shown in Example 1 and Example 2, the hard extrudate and the softextrudate were formed separately and fed to the die assembly where theywere brought together without the protrusion (i.e., mechanical joint)and rotated as they exited the die assembly forming an intertwinedbraided structure. The product was cut in approximately six inch piecesand sealed in moisture barrier flexible bags. The products were storedat ambient conditions and examined every two weeks. After about 8 weeksof storage, the ropes started to separate.

Example 5 Forming the Multi-Textured Twist Product—3 (No Adhesive orMechanical Joint)

Example 4 was repeated but the sodium caseinate in the soft componentwas removed. In less than two weeks the ropes of storage, the ropesseparated.

Example 6 Forming the Multi-textured Twist Product—4 (Mechanical JointOnly)

Example 3 was repeated but the sodium caseinate in the soft componentwas removed. After about 8 weeks of storage, the ropes started toseparate.

Example 7 Forming the Multi-textured Twist Product—5

Example 3 was repeated but the mechanical joint was created after thesteam flashing and loss of stickiness (glue functionality) about 6inches from the die exit. The ropes separated immediately showing thatadhesive property of the composition is needed for the formation of thebond between the multi-textured ropes.

Example 8 Forming the Multi-textured Twist Product—6

Examples 1, 2, & 3 were repeated where the sodium caseinate in the softcomponent was removed and included in the hard component at 1.4% in thehard component formula and the rice flour reduced proportionately. After12 months, the ropes were still strongly bonded and the dual texture wasmaintained. This example shows that the added adhesive component iseffective in either the soft component or the hard component.

Example 9 Hardness and Softness Tests

The follow texture studies for samples took place at ambient 70-75° F.(158-167° C.). An Instron® 5500R fitted with a pointed brass cone wasused. A hard component (in the form of a rope) was placed on a solidplatform and the Instron crosshead with the pointed cone probe wasactivated to travel towards the hard rope at 2 inches per minute. Themaximum load when the probe penetrated 0.4 inch into the rope was takenas a measure of hardness/softness. Measurements were taken at 3different points, an inch apart, on a rope and on three different ropes.The values ranged from about 31 pound force (“lb-f”) to about 45 lb-f.This experiment was repeated for the soft component (in the form of arope) and the values ranged from about 10 lb-f to about 13 lb-f.Reasonable expected values for embodiments of the hard component rangefrom about 25 lb-f to about 60 lb-f, and the soft component from about 1lb-f to about 20 lb-f.

All patents, patent applications, publications, and other referencescited or referred to herein are incorporated herein by reference to theextent allowed by law. The discussion of those references is intendedmerely to summarize the assertions made therein. No admission is madethat any such patents, patent applications, publications or references,or any portion thereof, are relevant prior art for the present inventionand the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinence of such patents,patent applications, publications, and other references is specificallyreserved.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-textured animal treat comprising: a hardcomponent comprising pregelatinized cereal grain, 6.0-27.0 wt. % polyoland 4.5-27.0 wt. % water, the hard component comprising a rope and atleast one protrusion extending from the hard component, wherein the hardcomponent exhibits a hardness as measured by Instron compressibilityvalues ranging from about 25 lb-f to about 60 lb-f; and at least onesoft component comprising 35-50 wt. % flour, 0.1-10% sodium caseinateand 13-24% polyol, wherein the soft component surrounds the protrusionof the hard component to form a mechanical joint that fixedly attachesthe at least one soft component to the hard component, wherein the softcomponent is wrapped around sides of the rope in a spiral shape thatencircles the hard component, wherein the sides of the rope arepartially visible through the spiral shape, and wherein each of the atleast one soft component exhibits a hardness as measured by Instroncompressibility values ranging from about 1 lb-f to about 20 lb-f, andthe hard component is further fixedly attached to the at least one softcomponent by the sodium caseinate; the at least one soft componentremains fixedly attached to the hard component, without separating, forat least twelve months during storage of the multi-textured animaltreat.
 2. The multi-textured animal treat of claim 1 wherein the hardcomponent is a starch-based extruded product.
 3. The multi-texturedanimal treat of claim 1 wherein the hard component has a twisted shape.4. The multi-textured animal treat of claim 1 wherein the rope of thehard component has a first end and a second end opposite from each otherand defining a length of the rope, and each of the at least onemechanical joint and each of the at least one soft component extend fromthe first end to the second end of the rope.
 5. The multi-texturedannual treat of claim 1 wherein the sodium caseinate is 0.1 to 4.0 wt. %of the treat.
 6. The multi-textured animal treat of claim 1 wherein thesodium caseinate is 0.5 to 3.0 wt. % of the treat.
 7. The multi-texturedanimal treat of claim 1 wherein the sodium caseinate is 1.0 to 2.0 wt. %of the treat.
 8. The multi-textured animal treat of claim 1 wherein theat least one soft component further comprises 8.5-11.5 wt. % gluten. 9.The multi-textured animal treat of claim 1 wherein the at least one softcomponent further comprises 1-15 wt. % gelatin.
 10. The multi-texturedanimal treat of claim 1 wherein the at least one soft component furthercomprises 0.3-0.5 wt. % maltodextrin.